HOBOKEN -- The once-long waitlist for the Hoboken School District’s touted Early Childhood Program became empty for the first time on Monday, confirmed Superintendent Mark Toback in an email. In July, the list had as many as 70 children on it, and was the cause of concern for parents throughout the city.

Hoboken provides free pre-school for 3 and 4-year-olds because it is a “special needs” district designated by the state. But there was an increase in families applying this year, and even when the district asked for more classrooms, there was not enough room for everyone.

On Friday, Toback said that the district has identified 10 families designated as “no-shows,” meaning that the district believes they’ve enrolled in other programs or moved out of Hoboken. Legally, the district was required to wait 10 days before removing them from the enrollment lists. On Monday, they were able to place those nine children.